Last November, TLERA members living in and around the reservoir site received flyers from Thomas Wrenn Homes Ltd inviting them to attend an ‘illustrative’ display of a proposal to not only build houses on the site but also on 116-118 Canonbie Road. An attempt to once again develop the reservoir site and what was formerly 116 Canonbie Road was not entirely unexpected given they are both owned by Mr Wrenn. However, the inclusion of 118 Canonbie Road in the scheme was very surprising – as you will have read, Lewisham had recently acquired the property and were working hard to gain vacant possession.

The Association arranged for Committee members to go along at various times during the day to view the proposed development and gauge the opinion of TLERA members who attended. Needless to say, there was no support for the development, with many expressing real concerns about its impact on both neighbouring houses and the environment – the developer’s assurances that the ecological value of the site was appreciated and would be conserved were not convincing.

Subsequent contact with the Council confirmed that there had been no discussion with the developers, and they had no intention of selling the property to Wrenn Homes. Needless to say, it is clear that a planning application will be submitted in the not too distant future which will once again threaten this valuable site, which is designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (see below). We understand Lewisham Council will be conducting updated surveys of all SINCs in the Borough during 2015. However, whether Mr Wrenn will allow access to the site is another matter…